Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
(92%) From 137 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Another amazing wildlife encounter at Ongava
Our stay here was most memorable. On our afternoon safari we headed off into the bush and saw several giraffes, then proceeded to a spot where a pride of lions had killed a giraffe. Three of them had obviously had their fill and were lolling around, while the other 5, including twin cubs, where supping on the giraffe. As the lions were gainfully occupied we were able to get quite close to them to observe them.
Off we set for our sundowner, and then a bush dinner to watch the eclipse. As we arrived in the dark, at the location for our dinner, we were immediately struck by the effort staff had gone to to set up tables with white cloths, wine glasses, candles, warming fires, and yet more candles in paper bags to circle the dinner site, and we thought wow. Then the lights of our safari vehicle highlighted the two lions sitting on the banks of the dinner arena watching the proceedings! We had a short delay while staff shooed the lions away - we hoped. Next day we found out that there were actually 12 lions and of course the staff were keeping a very close eye on those lions.
Next morning our drive seemed quite mundane in comparison as we 'only' saw white rhinoceros and a few giraffes! Unfortunately we missed out on the opportunity to walk with the rhinoceros.
It is great when the guide, as our guide did here, talk to you, only when they have stopped the vehicle.
Our welcome here was warm and as we had had lunch we were offered a fruit platter. We can't remember breakfast as we were too busy watching the animals around the waterhole.
Good wildlife viewing here
Good area for wildlife, particularly around the camp waterhole. Enjoyable camp environment.
Read more about the whole safariExcellent!
This is a very intimate, quiet camp where all the tents and the main eating area look out on a water hole. The water hole provides an endless supply of animals who come to drink -- all kids of anteopes (oryx, red hartebeast, kudu, eland, Springok, waterbuck, black-faced impala came by. At dawn hundreds of silly Guinea Fowl show up. It's too much fun watching the animals directly from the deck.
One interesting thing about this camp is that you can't leave the walkways, and you can't walk from building to building at night unescorted because there's no fence. The animals are right there. For our excursion we went out and found a bunch of lions who had killed a giraffe and were eating it. We got very close to some very bloody looking lions. We met a mother white rhino and baby at a waterhole. That night a whole family of rhinos came to the waterhole and splashed around while we were eating dinner, looking like pale ghosts in the moonlight.
The next morning we went to Etosha. We saw huge masses of zebras, gnu and antelopes politely taking turns one species at a time at the waterholes, Huge bull elephants slowly approached like some huge container ship and splashed into the waterhole for a drink, all the other animals giving them a wide berth. In camp a funny fat hyrax munched on leaves in a tree, and the Monteiro's hornbills came to our table again. Way fun! Our tent was comfortable -- but it is a tent, it gets cool at night in winter, although they do put a hot water bottle in the tent which sure helps. It was fun chatting with other guests. Our guide was great.
Wonderful luxury tented camp
We stayed 2 nights here. Upon check-in, when we had been at the lodge for 5 minutes, we saw 3 elephants & zebra at the waterhole in front of the lodge.
Nothing was too much trouble for the staff & service was impeccable. Our room was pretty far from the waterhole, so they immediately switched us to the one closest to the waterhole.
There were only 1 or 2 other parties the day we checked in, so we inquired on whether we could have a jeep to ourselves for the first game drive & they asked if we wanted our own jeep, the next day as well, even though the camp was full the next day.
I fully expected to be charged extra, but they didn't, so we made sure to tip our guide Michael as if he had a full jeep both days. And Michael was amazing! We saw lions eating a giraffe within 10 minutes on our first drive & got to approach 3 rhinos on foot, maybe w/in 10 meters or so. Plus so many other sightings! The tent was very comfortable & we had a lovely time at Ongava.
A super camp
The second of the camps we stayed in. Extremely comfortable camp with good food, excellent accommodation. All the staff were very friendly. Our guide Bono was very knowledgeable - and found white rhino for us to see. Drinking a Sundowner G&T with rhinos is something not be forgotten. Paska the Ongava manager was extremely helpful and welcoming.
The camp's waterhole is a big bonus. At breakfast we had three elephants walk across the waterhole and come very close to the camp, great fun. We flew in from the previous camp - which saves a lot of time.
Trips into Etosha National Park were good, however there are insufficient fenced off stopping places there for a coffee stop. Where we stopped had lots of rubbish piled up as well, probably because they want you to go to the main restaurant facilities.
Thoroughly recommend Ongava camp.
spectacular water hole
The room was large with a desk and armchair and great bed.
Kettle and water provided.
Plenty of wild life, on arrival while at lunch a Giraffe came to the waterhole 20 metres away.
Comfortable relaxing area.
Disharmony and unhappiness among the staff.
Our guide was good and we saw much wildlife.
We really loved Namibia.
Wonderful all round
A very close second to our favourite in Namibia. The accommodation was good with indoor and outdoor showers, plenty of space inside and out but the communal areas were so good that we spent most of our time, when not on game drives, there. There were plenty of comfortable chairs under cover and outside facing the waterhole, which was regularly visited by a variety of animals. The small pool was also very welcome.
All the staff were friendly and helpful and there were nice extra touches, such as cold towels when returning from game drives, but hot towels after we were caught in the rain. The Kaluha afterwards was good too.
Game viewing was also excellent, especially the number of rhinos we saw. Good to see they have an anti poaching squad.
Ongava
Ideal location for Etosha although the game drive was better at Ongava than in Etosha.
We saw lions being chased by black rhino then saw a white rhino. The water hole was interesting and well positioned to be able to watch what was happening there while we were eating.
Good accommodation.
Ongava Tented Camp review
An absolute pleasure to stay here. You need to book well in advance; we could only get in for one night despite booking many months in advance.
An exciting, open camp, not for the faint hearted. We had lions very close to the tent and enjoyed having dinner watching two white rhinos at the camp waterhole. Excellent staff, outstanding tents with first class facilities and very good food. Out guide, Bono, was an absolute professional and of the highest calibre. We very much enjoyed the game drive on the Ongava Reserve which is so much more peaceful than Etosha.
We were taken on a game drive into Etosha, which although flush with game, it is also full to capacity with vehicles, large tour groups that are often noisy and we were disappointed with the atmosphere in Etosha. However, that is a personal view and it really reflects our desire for tranquility.
A terrific experience
We had a great three nights at Ongava. Situated just outside the Anderson gate, within its own reserve, we were treated to game drives both within Etosha (mornings) and on their own ground (afternoons).
We saw a huge number of animals - the radio contact between drivers within Etosha meant that we saw more than we would have on our own, including a fascinating encounter between lioness and jackels over a zebra carcass.
The camp is very comfortable, with the communal area looking out over a waterhole - we saw a beautiful giraffe drinking here at sunset. Food is excellent too.
